Tight end Boyd will miss time
By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, August 22, 2008
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Quarterback isn't the only position where injuries are complicating the Steelers' impending roster reduction to 53.
Tight end Cody Boyd said Thursday that he's scheduled for arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder on Monday.
"It all depends on what the doctor finds in there," Boyd said. "He's removing one little thing. If he doesn't have to dig around too much, then, hopefully, it shouldn't be too long (until he's available to play again).
"We haven't talked about the weeks (until he can return) yet. Once he gets in there, he'll know for sure."
The Steelers have four other tight ends on the roster, incumbents Heath Miller and Matt Spaeth, rookie Dezmond Sherrod and second-year pro Lee Vickers.
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and head coach Mike Tomlin have identified themselves as "three-tight end guys," as it relates to the roster and, at times, how many tight ends are in the game.
At quarterback, backup Charlie Batch is recovering from surgery to repair a fractured collarbone.
Like Boyd, Batch doesn't know what his status will be by the opening of the regular season on Sept. 7.
"I feel a little better than the X-rays show," Batch said. "As we go into next week we'll do another X-ray. We'll probably do a CAT scan to figure out how much bone density is there. And then, at that point, maybe at the end of the week possibly attempt to throw.
"It's one thing to be able to throw. But the next thing is being able to take a hit. That's something we're going to have to weigh out as we continue on through this."
The Steelers signed quarterback Byron Leftwich after Batch was injured on Aug. 8 against the Eagles and also have fifth-round pick Dennis Dixon and free-agent rookie Mike Potts on the roster at quarterback behind starter Ben Roethlisberger.
Rosters must be cut to 75 on Tuesday and to 53 on Aug. 30.
Mike Prisuta can be reached at [email="mprisuta@tribweb.com"]mprisuta@tribweb.com[/email] or 412-320-7923.
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